Rachel and Alex’s unique wedding day began in a most unorthodox way. Both keen park-runners, the couple went for an early morning run! Rachel ran the Woodhouse Moor parkrun with a lot of her friends. Alex did the Wakefield Thornes parkrun with his best man/brother, Chris, and a few other husbands, the last one before they tied the knot!
Back at the hotel, everybody got ready and I took a few photos of the Rachel in her bridal finery on the balcony, which had a great view of the city, and of Alex with his best man and ushers in The Queens Hotel.
The ceremony also began in an unusual way, with the couple kissing on arrival in front of the registrar, instead of waiting for their vows to be exchanged! After a very smiley exchange of rings, the wedding documents were signed and I took several images of the newlyweds sat at the desk, with various witnesses and attendants behind them. Then it was time for congratulatory drinks in one of the hotel’s grand reception rooms.
I managed to persuade Rachel and Alex to join me for a short walk around Leeds city centre to get some bride and groom portraits. There were plenty of steps for Rachel to tackle in her very high Louboutin shoes, but thanks to all her running, she made the walk look effortless!
We took some shots between the high rises, in the local park, and beside the river before it was time to go back for the wedding meal. The dining room looked very stylish with its long banqueting tables and flower-filled gin bottle centrepieces. Both Alex and Rachel are gin enthusiasts and asked their friends to kindly donate empty gin bottles to act as vases for the occasion.
The newly weds received a round of applause as they entered the room, and then following some very memorable speeches from the bride, groom and their best men and women, we went outside into the Yorkshire night to get a few more city shots. One particular walkway, which was lit up purple and blue, made for a spectacular setting.
It was an exciting wedding with lots of thoughtful decoration and unforgettable moments. I wasparticularly impressed with the dj spinning the vinyl; an old school touch that made the evening all the more special. A toast to the happy couple! Rachel and Alex!
Rachel's Supplier Shoutout:
Hair- Hair FX, Morley
Make-up - my niece, Liberty
Wedding Dress - Phase Eight
Shoes - Christian Louboutin
Flowers - supplied by beautifully arranged by my friend, Pauline Triangle Nursery
Bridesmaid dresses - Debenhams
Cake - Bakezilla’s Bespoke Cakes
DJ - The Vinyl DJ The DJ was amazing, the dance floor was full all night!
Styling of the venue - my friend, Pauline, who did an amazing job
Alex’s bespoke suit - Carl Stuart, Ossett
Groomsmen’s hire suits - Carl Stuart, Ossett
Mark Tierney is a Yorkshire based Contemporary Wedding Photographer covering the UK and beyond.